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Potential Nurses & Nursing Students Opportunities: Careers in Nursing Would You
Like to Be a Nurse?
Nursing can be an extremely rewarding profession if you are a dedicated, compassionate individual who can develop a good rapport with all types of people. If you’ve thought about becoming a Nurse, but still aren’t sure this profession is for you, this section will give you information to help make your decision easier. Definitions of Nursing In all states nursing is regulated by a Practice Act. In Illinois it is the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act. The Practice Act defines both Registered Professional Nursing and Licensed Practical Nursing. Those definitions are
Additionally the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Nursing Act include minimal skills lists for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. They are also listed here: The minimal skills for registered professional nurses …are as follows:
The minimal skills for licensed practical nurses…are as follows:
The above definitions of nursing and practical nursing and the list of minimal skills for each excerpted from the Nursing Act and Rules give you an idea about the Scope of Nursing Practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the Nature of the Work on its website and will give you a pretty broad perspective on the work of nurses. The Bureau says the following about nursing: Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, perform basic duties that include treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help to perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs, and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs also are trained to provide grief counseling to family members of critically ill patients. RNs work to promote general health by educating the public on various warning signs and symptoms of disease and where to go for help. RNs also might run general health screening or immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars on various conditions. RNs can specialize in one or more patient care specialties. The most common specialties can be divided into roughly four categories—by work setting or type of treatment; disease, ailment, or condition; organ or body system type; or population. RNs may combine specialties from more than one area—for example, pediatric oncology or cardiac emergency—depending on personal interest and employer needs. RNs may specialize by work setting or by type of care provided. For example, ambulatory care nurses treat patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries on an outpatient basis, either in physicians’ offices or in clinics. Some ambulatory care nurses are involved in telehealth, providing care and advice through electronic communications media such as videoconferencing or the Internet. Critical care nurses work in critical or intensive care hospital units and provide care to patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, or pulmonary failure. Emergency, or trauma, nurses work in hospital emergency departments and treat patients with life-threatening conditions caused by accidents, heart attacks, and strokes. Some emergency nurses are flight nurses, who provide medical care to patients who must be flown by helicopter to the nearest medical facility. Holistic nurses provide care such as acupuncture, massage and aroma therapy, and biofeedback, which are meant to treat patients’ mental and spiritual health in addition to their physical health. Home health care nurses provide at-home care for patients who are recovering from surgery, accidents, and childbirth. Hospice and palliative care nurses provide care for, and help ease the pain of, terminally ill patients outside of hospitals. Infusion nurses administer medications, fluids, and blood to patients through injections into patients’ veins. Long- term care nurses provide medical services on a recurring basis to patients with chronic physical or mental disorders. Medical-surgical nurses provide basic medical care to a variety of patients in all health settings. Occupational health nurses provide treatment for job-related injuries and illnesses and help employers to detect workplace hazards and implement health and safety standards. Perianesthesia nurses provide preoperative and postoperative care to patients undergoing anesthesia during surgery. Perioperative nurses assist surgeons by selecting and handling instruments, controlling bleeding, and suturing incisions. Some of these nurses also can specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Psychiatric nurses treat patients with personality and mood disorders. Radiologic nurses provide care to patients undergoing diagnostic radiation procedures such as ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging. Rehabilitation nurses care for patients with temporary and permanent disabilities. Transplant nurses care for both transplant recipients and living donors and monitor signs of organ rejection. RNs specializing in a particular disease, ailment, or condition are employed in virtually all work settings, including physicians’ offices, outpatient treatment facilities, home health care agencies, and hospitals. For instance, addictions nurses treat patients seeking help with alcohol, drug, and tobacco addictions. Developmental disabilities nurses provide care for patients with physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities; care may include help with feeding, controlling bodily functions, and sitting or standing independently. Diabetes management nurses help diabetics to manage their disease by teaching them proper nutrition and showing them how to test blood sugar levels and administer insulin injections. Genetics nurses provide early detection screenings and treatment of patients with genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. HIV/AIDS nurses care for patients diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. Oncology nurses care for patients with various types of cancer and may administer radiation and chemotherapies. Finally, wound, ostomy, and continence nurses treat patients with wounds caused by traumatic injury, ulcers, or arterial disease; provide postoperative care for patients with openings that allow for alternative methods of bodily waste elimination; and treat patients with urinary and fecal incontinence. RNs specializing in treatment of a particular organ or body system usually are employed in specialty physicians’ offices or outpatient care facilities, although some are employed in hospital specialty or critical care units. For example, cardiac and vascular nurses treat patients with coronary heart disease and those who have had heart surgery, providing services such as postoperative rehabilitation. Dermatology nurses treat patients with disorders of the skin, such as skin cancer and psoriasis. Gastroenterology nurses treat patients with digestive and intestinal disorders, including ulcers, acid reflux disease, and abdominal bleeding. Some nurses in this field also specialize in endoscopic procedures, which look inside the gastrointestinal tract using a tube equipped with a light and a camera that can capture images of diseased tissue. Gynecology nurses provide care to women with disorders of the reproductive system, including endometriosis, cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases. Nephrology nurses care for patients with kidney disease caused by diabetes, hypertension, or substance abuse. Neuroscience nurses care for patients with dysfunctions of the nervous system, including brain and spinal cord injuries and seizures. Ophthalmic nurses provide care to patients with disorders of the eyes, including blindness and glaucoma, and to patients undergoing eye surgery. Orthopedic nurses care for patients with muscular and skeletal problems, including arthritis, bone fractures, and muscular dystrophy. Otorhinolaryngology nurses care for patients with ear, nose, and throat disorders, such as cleft palates, allergies, and sinus disorders. Respiratory nurses provide care to patients with respiratory disorders such as asthma, tuberculosis, and cystic fibrosis. Urology nurses care for patients with disorders of the kidneys, urinary tract, and male reproductive organs, including infections, kidney and bladder stones, and cancers. Finally, RNs may specialize by providing preventive and acute care in all health care settings to various segments of the population, including newborns (neonatology), children and adolescents (pediatrics), adults, and the elderly (gerontology or geriatrics). RNs also may provide basic health care to patients outside of health care settings in such venues as including correctional facilities, schools, summer camps, and the military. Some RNs travel around the United States and abroad providing care to patients in areas with shortages of medical professionals. Most RNs work as staff nurses, providing critical health care services along with physicians, surgeons, and other health care practitioners. However, some RNs choose to become advanced practice nurses, who often are considered primary health care practitioners and work independently or in collaboration with physicians. For example, clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care and expert consultations in one of many of the nursing specialties listed above. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs during surgery, and provide post-anesthesia care. Nurse midwives provide primary care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, prenatal care, assistance in labor and delivery, and neonatal care. Nurse practitioners provide basic preventive health care to patients, and increasingly serve as primary and specialty care providers in mainly medically underserved areas. The most common areas of specialty for nurse practitioners are family practice, adult practice, women’s health, pediatrics, acute care, and gerontology; however, there are many other specialties. In most States, advanced practice nurses can prescribe medications. Some nurses have jobs that require little or no direct patient contact. Most of these positions still require an active RN license. Case managers ensure that all of the medical needs of patients with severe injuries and illnesses are met, including the type, location, and duration of treatment. Forensics nurses combine nursing with law enforcement by treating and investigating victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or accidental death. Infection control nurses identify, track, and control infectious outbreaks in health care facilities; develop methods of outbreak prevention and biological terrorism responses; and staff immunization clinics. Legal nurse consultants assist lawyers in medical cases by interviewing patients and witnesses, organizing medical records, determining damages and costs, locating evidence, and educating lawyers about medical issues. Nurse administrators supervise nursing staff, establish work schedules and budgets, and maintain medical supply inventories. Nurse educators teach student nurses and also provide continuing education for RNs. Nurse informaticists collect, store, and analyze nursing data in order to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and improve patient care. RNs also may work as health care consultants, public policy advisors, pharmaceutical and medical supply researchers and salespersons, and medical writers and editors.[1] Where Nurses Work Nurses work in all sorts of places. To give you some idea about that we are including a list of ICNR member organizations. You can go to those websites and look at Employment Opportunities or read about the organization to give you a small sampling of the many opportunities that exist for nurses. ICNR Members 2006 Organizations Website Addresses ADN Council of Deans and Directors No website Advance for Nurses www.advancefornurses.com Advocate Health Care www.advocatehealth.com Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital www.advocatehealth.com/gshp Bromenn Healthcare www.bromenn.org Carle Foundation Hospital www.carle.com Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium No website at this time Children’s Memorial Hospital www.childrensmemorial.org Condell Medical Center www.condell.org Cook County Bureau of Health Services www.cchil.org/Cch/bureau.htm Delnor Community Hospital www.delnor.com Edward Hospital www.edward.org Elgin Community College www.elgin.edu Elliott Enterprises and Consulting No website at this time Elmhurst Hospital www.emhc.org Evanston Northwestern Healthcare www.enh.org FHN ( Freeport Health Network) www.fhn.org Graham Hospital School of Nursing www.grahamhospital.org Greenville Regional Hospital www.greenvilleregionalhospital.com Harper College www.harpercollege.edu Hospital Sisters Health System- IL Region 4 No website Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing No website
Illinois Council of Directors
of Practical Illinois Eastern Community Colleges www.iecc.edu Illinois Health Care Association www.ihca.com Illinois Hospital Association www.ihatoday.org Illinois Org. of Associate Degree Nurses www.NOADN.org Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders www.ionl.org Illinois Public Health Association www.ipha.com Illinois Valley Community College www.ivcc.edu Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital www.ksbhospital.com KishHealth System www.kishhealth.org Krier Co. Inc. No website Lewis and Clark Community College www.lc.edu Licensed Practical Nurses Association of IL No website Loyola University Medical Center www.lumc.edu Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital www.marianjoy.org Mason District Hospital www.masondistricthospital.org Memorial Health System www.mhsil.com Mennonite College of Nursing at ISU www.mcn.ilstu.edu Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council www.mchc.com National Association of Nurses with Disabilities www.nond.org Northern Illinois University School of Nursing www.niu.edu Northwest Community Healthcare www.nch.org Nurse Educators of Illinois www.neionline.org Nurses Lounge www.nurseslounge.com Nursing Spectrum www.nursingspectrum.com Olivet Nazarene University www.olivet.edu OSF Saint James Hospital www.osfsaintjames.org OSF St. Joseph Medical Center www.osfstjoseph.org OSF St. Mary Medical Center www.osfstmary.org Paris Community Hospital www.pariscommunityhospital.com Parkland College www.parkland.edu Passavant Area Hospital www.passavanthospital.com Pekin Hospital www.pekinhospital.org Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center www.provenasaintjoe.org Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago www.ric.org Richland Community College www.richland.edu RML Specialty Hospital www.rmlspecialityhospital.org Rush Copley Medical Center www.rushcopley.com Rush University Medical Center www.rush.edu Saint Alexius Medical Center www.stalexius.org Saint Anthony College of Nursing www.sacn.edu Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing www.osfsaintfrancis.org Saint Xavier University www.sxu.edu SEIU Nurse Alliance www.seiu.org Southern IL
University
Edwardsville
School Trinity Christian College Department of Nursing www.trnty.edu/depts/nursing University of Chicago Hospitals www.uchospitals.edu University of IL at Chicago, College of Nursing www.uic.edu
University of
St. Francis College of Nursing West Suburban College of Nursing www.wscn.edu Nurses’ Daily Routines Once you know what nursing is, it will be helpful to know what nurses do every day. To read profiles of all types of nurses, visit: Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow Is Nursing For You? If you’re still not sure, The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) has a great PDF called “Is Nursing For You”, which talks about getting into nursing and selecting a program. Visit the main career page of the NSNA One Other Thing Nursing school is tough. Nurses must start out as good students or they won’t make it. It’s also important that you take the right courses is high school to prepare you for the nursing curriculum, which is grounded in math and sciences. We’ve prepared a brochure for you to help you with that. If you are in high school now, see your health occupations teachers, your school nurse, and/or your guidance counselor and ask them about preparation and courses for nursing. High School Requirements Brochure for Nursing School PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN NURSING Provided by Blessing-Rieman
College of Nursing A Guide for High School Students, Parents, and Counselors Created by: Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing Approved by: IL Assoc. of Colleges of Nursing, IL Coalition for Nursing Resources So what preparation in High School will help you gain admission to the nursing program of your choice? Here are some general guidelines:
Nursing is an excellent career choice. It's flexible, and has many specialty areas from which to choose. Nursing is in demand around the world, provides excellent salaries, and is personally rewarding. • If your school offers a college prep track, be sure you are taking courses in that track, including: 4-6 units of English, 4-6 units of Science - especially Biology and Chemistry, 3 units of Social Studies 2 units of Math - especially Algebra Exact requirements may vary according to the college you attend. [1] U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, |
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